I don't think it is necessery to have very many students hungry for aikido. In good old days, back in Japan, there was a quite strict selection BEFORE any student could start practice. Presently, this selection is more natural, only a couple students make an effort to train, and selection existe AFTER few years of practice. In my opinion it is very good system, cos everyone can at least try aikido.

This natural selection develops strong circle of students around a person with strongest skills and charismatic personalities. One may see this process in shihans dojo. Others, very good, but not having enough skills or charisma to attract gifted and fidel students, well, they will continue to practice at their level.
In the end of the day, we will see only very few but extremly high level instructors.
That's how life works.Nothing to cry about